|
|
Article: Philip Morris asks Illinois to snuff out lawsuits over 'light' cigarettes.
- Article from:
- Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
- Article date:
- November 11, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
By Ameet Sachdev, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Nov. 11--SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Philip Morris USA told the state Supreme Court Wednesday that federal oversight of the tobacco industry bars Illinois consumers from bringing state fraud claims against the company for allegedly misleading them about the safety of "light" cigarettes.
In its challenge of a $10.1 billion class-action fraud ruling, the unit of Altria Group Inc., said a state judge ignored federal regulations in ruling that smokers were deceived by the terms "lights" and "lowered tar and nicotine" on cigarette packages.
"Where there is a deliberate policy of ...